Refeci owner Luisa Steckler came into the high-end fashion repair and restoration business out of necessity. As a collector of luxury fashion herself, she realized there needed to be a competent cleaning and restoration business in Houston that followed rigorous European standards. Her father, a businessman, suggested that she start one herself, and two years later, Refeci is the go-to repair and restoration service company in Houston.
Steckler traveled to Asia and Europe to learn from master leather artisans and has a team of support staff, restoration technicians, and restoration specialists who work with her. “By providing a very structured training process, we ensure that our staff can provide the level of detail and expertise required to make any damage or normal wear and tear a problem of the past,” says Steckler. “We also import some of the best products designed for luxury fashion; this facilitates the cleaning and repair process due to the quality of such products.”
Refeci’s goal is to help every person lengthen the life of their luxury fashion item. The company works with bags, shoes, clothing, luggage, and other accessories and has restored Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Prada, and more.
Steckler says preventive maintenance is critical to prolonging the life of a luxury handbag or leather goods. She recommends the following:
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Keep items in a cotton dust bag to protect them from sunlight, dust, and moisture.
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Stuff handbags to help maintain their shape.
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Clean items with products specially designed for the material the item is made of.
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Store the luxury item properly and use a protective membrane that shields the item against stains.
